MIAMI (AFP) – Britain’s Charley Hull, who has not won in more than two years, fired a six-under-par 66 to grab a one-stroke lead after Saturday’s third round of the LPGA Tour Championship.
The 20-year-old from England birdied the course’s four par-5 holes – the first, sixth, 14th and 17th – and the par-4 10th and 13th as well in a bogey-free round to stand on 13-under 203 after 54 holes in the season-ending event.
‘‘Just kind of kept in the zone,’’ Hull said. ‘‘I felt like I hit it pretty decent. I holed a few putts and got up and down when I needed to.’’
American Brittany Lincicome also fired a 66 at Tiburon Golf Club to stand second on 204 alongside South Korean Ryu So-Yeon, who shot 69 on the Naples, Florida, layout.
New Zealand’s world number one Lydia Ko had a chance to grab a share of the lead with a birdie on the closing hole but took a bogey to finish a round of 73 and share fourth on 205 with South Korea’s Chun In-Gee, Thailand’s Ariya Jutanugarn and Americans Jennifer Song and Lizette Salas.
‘‘It’s not far off. I had plenty of quality shots. The feel is still there,’’ Ko said. ‘‘Hopefully a couple balls on the range and I’ll be able to have that feeling back.’’